Fourth DUI results in probation

Monday afternoon in Hot Springs District Court, Michelle McLeran was sentenced to three to five years with the Wyoming Women’s Center in Lusk on a charge of fourth-offense driving under the influence. The charge is from an April 1 incident, with previous convictions from March of 2011, May of 2012 and the summer of 2014.

McLeran pleaded no contest to the charge in November.

Judge Robert E. Skar suspended the prison time, however, for three years supervised probation. McLeran was also fined $3,000, which is also suspended, and she agreed to attend inpatient treatment.

Prior to sentencing, McLeran said she wants to change her lifestyle for herself and her family. She added she is trying to keep busy with as many things as possible in her days, in order to stay away from drugs and alcohol and get her life back on track. Judge Skar commended her on her efforts, noting he was also impressed with her answers during the pre-sentence investigation as to how the events leading to the charge happened and what she intends to do about it.

Also in district court Hanes Hall pleaded not guilty to charges of felony aggravated assault and battery with a drawn deadly weapon and interfering with a peace officer. The charges stem from a Jan. 15 incident, during which he allegedly aimed a gun at Hot Springs County Deputy Jerimie Kraushaar. It is further alleged that, during the incident, Hall resisted arrest and several people were required to get the firearm away from him and detain him.

Trial for Hall is expected to take three days, though no date was is set.

Judge Skar also heard a motion to reduce Hall’s bond from $50,000 to $10,000. During proceedings, defense attorney Richard Hopkinson argued the incident happened after Hall was drinking, and that he is not a violent person.

Prosecuting attorney Marcia Bean said Hall was previously denied a bond reduction in circuit court, and when this incident occurred he was already out on bond for an incident involving possession of marijuana and methamphetamine. She noted he is a threat to the community and law enforcement. Judge Skar reduced the bond to $25,000.

Joshua Hoyer pleaded not guilty to charges of delivery of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent, conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and a misdemeanor possession of meth. The charges stem from a Dec. 4 incident. Hoyer is also charged with two counts of failing to register as a sex offender — on Aug. 9 and Dec. 18 — and has also pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Trials for Hoyer are expected to take three days for the drug-related charges and two days for the registration charges, though no dates were set.